Show cops driving licence on phone? not here, you can't

If you plan to keep your driver’s licence or vehicle registration certificate at home and drive around with the digital versions of your documents in the DigiLocker or mParivahan apps, going by the new clause in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, hold on for a while longer. A Mirror Check has revealed that more than three weeks after the amendment came into force, the traffic police have no idea that it is mandatory for them to accept a digital version of your driver’s licence and other vehicle-related documents. Even as several Amdavadis were fined for carrying a digital, and not physical version of their documents, senior traffic officials say they are still in the process of educating the force about the rule.

According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the new provision amended under Section 139 of Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989 allows and facilitates usage of digital copies for verification. While a draft notification was issued on November 2, a fresh notification was issued on November 19 after several commuters were penalised for not carrying physical copies. The notification reads: “As per amended provision, citizens can produce transport-related documents such as registration, insurance, fitness and permit, driver’s licence, certificate for pollution under check and any other relevant documents in physical or electronic form of on demand by any police officer in uniform or other officer authorised by state government.”

Usman Gani’s futile attempt to show cops the digital copies of his traffic documents

Transport Commissioner V P Patel told Mirror, “Several times, documents are forgotten, misplaced or damaged. Using the DigiLocker will take care of all these problems.” The initiative will also help in reducing administrative overhead of government departments by minimising use of paper.

However, despite the notifications, city traffic police continue to fine Amdavadis who carry digital version of documents, revealed a Mirror Check.

Usman Gani, a 27-year-old working professional, found himself in trouble while driving past Shyamal Crossroad without wearing a helmet. “The traffic cops stopped me and asked for my licence.

When I showed them the digital copy on the DigiLocker app, they refused to accept it and fined me Rs 500,” he said. Head constable Manish Kumar Jani, who was manning Shyamal Crossroads, said, “I have read about the Digi-Locker app and e-format provisions in newspapers but we have not received a copy of the amendment yet. People should carry their licence in physical format as the e-format lacks authenticity and I cannot accept it.”

Hashpreet Chabra, a 19-year-old resident of Paldi, was caught without her helmet during a massive traffic compliance drive near Sabarmati Riverfront last Friday. She encountered a bigger problem when she said she had lost her driver’s licence a few days ago. She said, ‘I had a digital copy of my licence in my DigiLocker app but the cops refused to acknowledge it. I was fined Rs 500.”

Asked why traffic cops are not accepting the digital version of documents despite the amendment, DCP (Traffic East) Akshay Raj Makwana told Mirror, “Government has approved two platforms: DigiLocker app and mParivahan app. Several head constables are unaware of the rules. We have told assistant sub-inspectors to educate them. We expect positive feedback soon.”

He added that photographs and scanned copies of documents are not acceptable. “The documents have to be on DigiLocker account that can be opened only after providing your 12-digit Aadhaar number. Companies or organisations registered with DigiLocker can directly push electronic copies of documents into your account which assures the authenticity of documents,” Makwana said.

However, ASI (Traffic) Mukesh R Chaudhary at Helmet Circle is unaware of the new amendment. He said, “We were notified about the mParivahan App two months ago but we never accepted it for security reasons. We have not received any news about the change in Section 139.”

Head constable Rajaram R Kaliya at Panjrapol seems reluctant to switch to the new format. He told Mirror, “We cannot agree to let vehicle users show us documents on DigiLocker as, at times, we have to confiscate driver’s licence and we need a physical copy for this.”

Head constable Bhikhabhai Khemabhai posted at Shivranjani Crossroads warned that people must carry their physical driver’s licence if they want to avoid paying a fine or prevent their vehicle from being confiscated. “Since we cannot ensure that the electronic format is authentic, we do not accept it. It is advisable that citizens carry physical copies,” he added.

What’s DigiLocker? DigiLocker is a digital platform for issuance and verification of documents and certificates. It eliminates the use of physical documents. The app can be downloaded from Google Play Store or App Store, and opened with an Aadhaar number. With DigiLocker, it is easier to validate authenticity of documents as they are issued directly by registered issuers. People can even sign self-uploaded documents using its eSign facility.

Sometimes, documents are forgotten, misplaced or damaged. Using DigiLocker will take care of this. Many traffic cops are aged and unaware of new rules. We will ensure proper awareness

V P Patel, Transport Commissioner

Govt has approved two platforms: DigiLocker app and mParivahan app. Several head constables are unaware of rules. We have told ASIs to educate them

Akshay Raj Makwana, DCP

I had forgotten my driver’s licence and RC book at home. When Ioffered to show traffic cops its digital version through DigiLocker, they refused to accept it and fined me heavily

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